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The size of the small grocery store was in keeping with the size of the town. There wasn’t much to it and that’s exactly why she was hoping to settle there. The doors were the old-fashioned pull open style instead of automatic.
A man with a wrinkly smile and short gray hair proudly held the door open as she approached.
“Why thank you,” she murmured.
“My pleasure. You must be new around here. I’d recognize a pretty redhead.”
“Oh.” She chuckled as she moved past him. “Yes, sir, I just got here. I’ll be helping out at the veterinary office.”
“Well, well, maybe I’ll see ya around.”
She smiled as sweetly as possible, feeling warmth in her chest from a friendly voice.
Her trek through the small store was quick but not quick enough to avoid prying eyes that almost made her think she had something stuck in her teeth or toilet paper attached to her shoe. As she approached the only open cash register out of the three, she grabbed a pack of gum.
She set her items on the black conveyor belt that automatically moved them toward the cashier. Luckily, the cashier greeted her with a warm smile just like the man at the door.
“Hi.” The young woman’s voice was chipper.
“Hello.”
“Haven’t seen you around here before.”
“That obvious, huh?” Harlow sighed with a chuckle.
“I heard about you, though.” The brunette’s name tag read Rebecca. “You’re the one helping Gwen down at the vet’s office. Aren’t ya?”
“Wow, how did you know?” Harlow’s jaw dropped as she pulled out some cash ready to pay.
“Oh, honey, word gets around town fast. It’s not often we have any newcomers. But we’re welcoming. Especially someone helping Gwen. If you’re good with animals, you must be a good human.” Rebecca chuckled and Harlow tensed at the word. If only the woman knew.
“Well, I hope I live up to the talk.” Harlow smiled, taking it as the perfect exit before she got many more questions.
When Harlow arrived at the office, Gwen was already hard at work tending to Mr. Mooney’s parrot. Ted, the receptionist greeted her with a big smile while multitasking another customer coming in with her cat. “Hey there. Harlow, right?” Harlow nodded. “I’ll let Gwen know you’re here.”
Harlow stepped back, browsing the tiny office and checkout area, taking notice of the walls lined with shelves of sales products. She continued pacing, uneasy about getting her morning started. She wasn’t uneasy about her skills, though.
She knew what she was doing. She just really wanted this to work out even more. As she peeked down the hallway Gwen just so happened to be crossing from one room to another. She must have sensed Harlow because she turned, and they locked eyes.
“Harlow, come on back.” Gwen’s bright smile made her feel warm and hopeful inside.
Gwen finished up on Mr. Mooney’s parrot, letting Harlow observe. Once they moved on to the next room, the patron with the cat waited inside.
“Ashley, how’s it going?” Gwen greeted this customer like an old friend. “I hope you don’t mind Harlow assisting me here.”
“Of course not.” Ashley reached out to shake Harlow’s hand, which surprised her.
Gwen assessed some of the owner’s concerns. Harlow even jumped in offering to grab some salves and tinctures.
“That would be great, Harlow.” Gwen then addressed Ashley. “We’re going to go grab a few things from the back. We’ll be with you again in a moment.”
Gwen exited the room with Harlow in close tow behind her. Once they got to the shelves of supplies and remedies Gwen grabbed some and peeked at Harlow grabbing some as well.
“So where did you get your training?” Gwen seemed to be on to something.
“Oh, it was a tiny school back in my hometown.” Harlow scoffed, hoping Gwen would be satisfied but there was no such luck.
“What was it called?”
